Senior Product Designer (12 Month Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (12 Month Contract)

Company: D2L

Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada / Toronto, ON, Canada

Job Type: Contract / Temporary

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: June 11, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (Estimated 5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design process for complex projects within D2L's innovative learning environment.

• Craft user-centered experiences that are accessible, usable, and consistent across the platform, aligning with D2L's mission to transform education.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product management, engineering, and UX research to influence product strategy, roadmaps, and deliver impactful design solutions.

• Champion inclusive design principles and accessibility standards, ensuring equitable outcomes for all learners and stakeholders.

• Leverage a broad set of inputs, including business context, technical considerations, and UX research, to inform design decisions and drive innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is a 12-month contract position, indicating a need for individuals who can quickly integrate, deliver, and adapt within a defined project scope. The emphasis on "Senior" implies a requirement for leadership in design thinking and execution, mentoring capabilities, and the ability to manage complex design challenges independently.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Scale and apply D2L's product design process from project inception through to successful delivery, ensuring a cohesive user experience.

• Design intuitive workflows and digital experiences that are both functional and consistently aligned with D2L's design system and brand guidelines.

• Develop deep expertise within specific project domains while also contributing to the broader understanding of product areas and pedagogical approaches.

• Define and scope activities and deliverables for large-scale projects characterized by high complexity and significant impact.

• Influence product priorities, scope definition, and the overall roadmap by providing data-driven design insights and strategic recommendations.

• Take full ownership of project activities and deliverables, ensuring timely completion and high-quality output.

• Foster strong collaboration with fellow designers on large projects or within broad design initiatives, promoting knowledge sharing and best practices.

• Support and mentor other designers on adjacent projects or within broader organizational initiatives, contributing to team growth and development.

• Contribute to defining the strategic vision for new initiatives, translating user needs and business goals into actionable design strategies.

• Educate and advocate for product design best practices with project teams, product managers, and engineering stakeholders.

• Share strategic design deliverables effectively with the broader design team and other relevant departments.

• Complete defined inclusive design and accessibility activities to ensure all experiences are accessible to a diverse user base.

• Actively participate in design reviews by presenting works-in-progress, articulating design rationale, and providing constructive, actionable feedback to peers.

• Collaborate closely with UX Research to identify research needs, provide project context, align on outcomes, and assist with note-taking and analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate both tactically (designing workflows, creating deliverables) and strategically (influencing roadmaps, defining vision). The emphasis on "scaling activities" suggests a role in refining and improving existing design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, Interaction Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, UX design, or interaction design, with a proven track record of delivering complex digital products. Experience in the EdTech sector or with educational platforms is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Process: Deep understanding and practical application of the full product design lifecycle, from discovery and research to ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation.

• UX Research Collaboration: Ability to collaborate effectively with UX Researchers, identify research needs, provide project context, and interpret research findings to inform design.

• Inclusive Design & Accessibility: Strong knowledge and practical application of inclusive design principles and accessibility heuristics (e.g., WCAG standards).

• System and Domain Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing complex systems and understanding specific domain areas (e.g., education, pedagogy) to inform design decisions.

• User Flow and Workflow Design: Expertise in mapping out complex user journeys and designing efficient, intuitive workflows.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Advanced skills in creating interactive prototypes and detailed wireframes using industry-standard tools.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions, present to stakeholders, and facilitate design reviews.

• Collaboration & Relationship Building: Proven ability to build rapport, establish trust, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and researchers.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, adapt to changing priorities, and thrive in a dynamic contract environment.

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills to balance rigor with pragmatic constraints, engage in systematic analysis, and make informed decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with D2L's product suite or similar learning management systems (LMS).

• Familiarity with design systems and their implementation.

• Experience in influencing product roadmaps and strategic planning.

• Knowledge of pedagogical principles and their application in digital learning environments.

• Experience mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Developing Competencies" section in the original description provides significant insight into the desired soft skills. These should be highlighted as crucial for success, indicating that the company values personal growth and strong interpersonal skills alongside technical design abilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 complex product design projects, demonstrating end-to-end design ownership.

• Projects should highlight your role in problem definition, user research synthesis, ideation, prototyping, and final design execution.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the design process, rationale, and the impact of your design solutions.

• Showcase specific examples of how you've applied inclusive design and accessibility principles.

• Demonstrate your ability to work with and contribute to design systems. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the specific product design activities undertaken, from initial scoping to final delivery.

• Clearly outline the methodology used for each project, including research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases.

• Illustrate how user feedback and research findings were integrated into the design process.

• Demonstrate how you collaborated with engineering and product teams to ensure successful implementation of designs.

• Provide examples of how you contributed to defining or refining design processes within projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, especially on contract, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to drive projects to completion within defined constraints. Emphasis should be placed on the impact of the designs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $106,000 CAD per year. This range is competitive for a Senior Product Designer in the Toronto/Kitchener, ON region, reflecting the experience level and specialized skills required for this contract role.

Benefits:

• Contract-Specific: While the role is a 12-month contract, D2L offers a comprehensive package that may include:

  • Wellness Subsidy
  • Equity Grants (potential for long-term incentives)
  • Variable Incentive (performance-based bonus potential)
  • Competitive Benefits Package (details typically provided during the hiring process)
  • Home Internet Reimbursements

• Professional Development:

  • Learning and Growth Opportunities
  • Tuition Reimbursement of up to $4,000 CAD annually through the SkillsWave Program
  • 2 Paid Days off for SkillsWave-related activities (exams, final assignments)

• Work-Life Integration:

  • Flexible Work Arrangements
  • 2 Paid Volunteer Days

• Wellbeing & Support:

  • Employee wellbeing programs, including access to mental health services and an EFAP (Employee and Family Assistance Program).
  • Financial planning resources.
  • Retirement planning options.

• Additional Perks:

  • Employee Referral Program

  • Wellness Reimbursement

  • Employee Recognition programs

  • Social Events

  • Dog-Friendly Office Spaces (at specific D2L locations) Working Hours: The standard working hours are an estimated 40 hours per week. Given the hybrid nature of the role and D2L's emphasis on flexible work arrangements, there may be some flexibility in daily scheduling, but core hours for collaboration and team meetings will likely be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for base salary. The potential for Equity Grants and Variable Incentives suggests that total compensation could exceed this range, especially if the candidate performs exceptionally well and the contract is extended or leads to other opportunities. The benefits list is extensive, indicating a strong focus on employee well-being and professional development, even for contract roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: D2L operates in the Software and EdTech (Education Technology) sectors, focusing on cloud-based learning environments. They are a key player in modernizing education and preparing individuals for the "Future of Work" by providing innovative learning solutions for K-12, higher education, and corporate training.

Company Size: D2L is a significant technology company, likely falling into the "Large Enterprise" category with hundreds to thousands of employees globally. This size offers opportunities for structured processes, access to resources, and potential for impactful work across a broad user base.

Founded: Founded 25 years ago, D2L has a long history and established presence in the EdTech market, indicating a stable yet forward-thinking organization committed to its mission.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will likely be part of a dedicated Design team, possibly within a larger Product or Engineering organization.

• This team likely includes other Product Designers, UX Researchers, UI Designers, and potentially Design Operations specialists.

• The reporting structure would typically be to a Design Lead, Director of Design, or a Product Management lead overseeing the design function for specific product areas.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with Product Managers, Software Engineers, UX Researchers, and potentially stakeholders in Marketing, Sales, and Education/Pedagogy departments. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: D2L emphasizes a data-driven approach, utilizing UX research, user feedback, and performance metrics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile Development: Projects are likely managed using agile methodologies, requiring designers to work iteratively and collaborate closely with development teams.

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding learner and educator needs is central to D2L's design philosophy, driving the creation of accessible and effective learning experiences.

• Continuous Improvement: The company culture encourages continuous learning and refinement of processes, including the product design methodology itself.

Company Website: https://www.d2l.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: D2L's mission to "transform the way the world learns" is a strong cultural anchor. Designers here are expected to contribute to a meaningful purpose, aligning their work with educational impact and the evolution of learning. The company's longevity suggests a mature product and design process.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to lead design efforts for complex projects. Senior designers are expected to mentor others and contribute to the overall design strategy and process improvement. As a 12-month contract, it offers a focused opportunity to apply and showcase advanced design skills within a specific project scope.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director, and will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads on specific product initiatives. They are expected to collaborate broadly across teams.

Operations Impact: Senior Product Designers at D2L have a significant impact on the user experience of their learning platform. Their work directly influences learner engagement, educator effectiveness, and ultimately, the success of educational institutions and organizations using D2L's products. By ensuring usability, accessibility, and pedagogical soundness, they contribute to D2L's mission of improving human potential globally.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like inclusive design, accessibility, educational technology, or specific product domains.

• Leadership Exposure: While a contract role, the "Senior" title and responsibilities offer chances to lead design thinking for projects, mentor peers, and influence product direction, which can be valuable experience for future leadership roles.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Successful completion of complex projects can significantly bolster a designer's portfolio, showcasing their ability to deliver high-impact solutions in a professional setting.

• Networking: Opportunity to build professional connections within D2L and the broader EdTech community.

• Potential for Extension/Full-Time: While a contract, strong performance can sometimes lead to contract extensions or conversion to full-time opportunities, depending on business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature of this role means growth is primarily focused on skill development, portfolio building, and gaining experience within a specific project context, rather than a traditional linear career progression within D2L.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: D2L offers a hybrid work environment. This means employees will split their time between working remotely and working from one of their physical office locations in Kitchener or Toronto. This setup aims to balance the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The role is based in either Kitchener, ON, or Toronto, ON, Canada. Both locations offer access to D2L's office spaces, which are likely designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Specific details on office amenities or hybrid schedules (e.g., required days in office) would need to be confirmed.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are likely equipped with meeting rooms, collaboration zones, and potentially specialized design studios to support team interaction and brainstorming.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard office technology, reliable internet, and the necessary software and hardware to perform design tasks, including potentially high-performance workstations for design software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous interactions with colleagues, participation in team activities, and direct engagement with cross-functional partners during in-office days.

• Dog-Friendly Offices: D2L explicitly mentions dog-friendly office spaces in some of their locations, indicating a more relaxed and pet-friendly workplace culture.

Work Schedule: The role is likely based on a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing remote productivity with in-office collaboration. Specific days in the office may be determined by team needs or company policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model suggests a need for strong self-management and communication skills to ensure seamless collaboration between remote and in-office team members.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the Talent Acquisition team.

• Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the Hiring Manager (Christian Pantel) to assess your experience, design philosophy, and fit for the Senior Product Designer role. This may involve discussing your portfolio.

• Design Assessment/Challenge: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or case study, either take-home or during an interview session, to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to articulate solutions.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with other designers, product managers, or engineers to assess collaboration skills and ability to work within a team environment.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on projects that best represent your senior-level capabilities, problem-solving skills, and impact. Quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Seniority: Emphasize how you influenced strategy, mentored others, or managed complex design challenges.

• Showcase Process: Detail your thought process, research methods, ideation techniques, and iteration cycles. Visuals are key, but the narrative explaining them is crucial.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Dedicate specific sections or call-outs to how you incorporated these principles into your designs.

• Technical Proficiency: Briefly mention the tools and technologies you used.

• Prepare to Present: Be ready to walk through your portfolio in detail during interviews. Practice your presentation for clarity and conciseness.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly read and understand the brief. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your problem-solving approach. It's often more important than the "perfect" final solution.

• Consider Constraints: Acknowledge business goals, technical limitations, and user needs.

• Present Clearly: Structure your presentation logically, starting with the problem and ending with your proposed solution and rationale. Use visuals effectively.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decisions, trade-offs, and alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: D2L's note about "every application being personally reviewed" suggests a human-centric hiring process, even with AI tools used for administrative tasks. This implies that a well-crafted resume and portfolio tailored to the role's requirements are essential. The emphasis on growth and not meeting every requirement encourages diverse candidates to apply.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable as industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace.

• Project Management: Jira, Confluence (common in agile environments).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how to interpret data from platforms like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or internal product analytics tools will be beneficial for informing design decisions and measuring impact.

• Familiarity with A/B testing principles and how design impacts key metrics. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant for a Product Designer, but awareness of how design integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms might be useful in understanding the broader business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a de facto requirement for modern product design roles. Familiarity with tools that support collaboration and agile workflows is also critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Transforming Learning: A core value is the mission to improve human potential globally through education technology. Designers are expected to contribute to this purpose.

• Innovation & Creativity: D2L fosters an environment where new ideas are encouraged, driving the development of next-generation learning solutions.

• Adaptability & Resilience: The company values individuals who can navigate change, learn quickly, and maintain a positive attitude in a dynamic industry.

• Openness & Curiosity: A culture that encourages asking questions, exploring new possibilities, and a continuous learning mindset.

• Advocacy & Inclusivity: Strong emphasis on championing user needs, striving for equitable outcomes, and considering a diverse range of end-users in the design process.

• Collaboration & Relationship Building: Valuing trust, respect, and empathy in interactions with colleagues and stakeholders, fostering strong cross-functional partnerships.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers, engineers, and researchers, treating them as integral partners in the product development process.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging the sharing of design work in progress and providing constructive, actionable feedback to peers, as well as being receptive to feedback received.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that supports sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across the design team and beyond.

• Data-Informed Discussions: Design discussions are grounded in user insights, business context, and data, promoting objective decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: D2L's emphasis on "competencies" like Adaptability, Drive, Innovation, Openness, and Self-awareness, alongside developing competencies like Advocacy, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Communication, paints a picture of a culture that values both individual drive and team-oriented, user-focused work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Complex Needs: Designing for a diverse user base (learners, educators, administrators) with varying technical abilities and pedagogical requirements presents a significant challenge.

• Technical Constraints: Working within the technical realities and limitations of a cloud-based platform while striving for innovative user experiences.

• Rapid Iteration: The contract nature and agile environment may require quick turnarounds on design solutions, demanding efficient workflows and decision-making.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong relationships with team members across different locations and work modes.

• Domain Expertise: Quickly acquiring or leveraging deep understanding of educational principles and specific product areas to create effective designs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into EdTech: Gaining hands-on experience in the rapidly evolving EdTech sector and understanding the intricacies of learning platforms.

• Mastering Design Systems: Contributing to and working within a mature design system, enhancing skills in design consistency and scalability.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunities to influence product roadmaps and contribute to the strategic vision of key initiatives.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers and collaborating with experts in UX Research and Product Management.

• SkillsWave Program: Access to tuition reimbursement and paid time off for further education, allowing for formal skill development in areas of interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed as opportunities for growth, aligning with D2L's stated value of a "growth mindset."

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex product design challenge you faced, detailing your approach, the trade-offs you made, and the outcome. How did you ensure inclusivity and accessibility in your solution?" (Focus on process, decision-making, and impact)

• "How do you balance user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints when designing a new feature or product? Provide an example." (Tests strategic thinking and pragmatism)

• "How would you approach understanding the pedagogical goals of a new feature within an educational platform like D2L?" (Assesses domain understanding and user empathy)

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders with a different point of view regarding a design decision. What was your strategy, and what was the result?" (Evaluates communication and negotiation skills) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to D2L's mission of transforming the way the world learns?" (Assesses alignment with company purpose)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a hybrid work environment, and what strategies do you use to ensure effective communication with remote and in-office team members?" (Tests cultural fit and adaptability)

• "Based on your understanding of D2L, where do you see opportunities for design to have the most significant impact on user experience?" (Demonstrates research and strategic thinking) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start Strong: Begin with a high-level overview of your career and the types of projects in your portfolio.

• Deep Dive on 1-2 Projects: Choose 1-2 projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, problem-solving, and impact. For each:

  • Clearly define the problem and business goals.
  • Explain your specific role and contributions.
  • Walk through your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration).
  • Highlight key design decisions and the rationale behind them.
  • Showcase how you incorporated accessibility and inclusivity.
  • Discuss the challenges encountered and how you overcame them.
  • Present the outcomes and measurable impact (use data if possible).

• Showcase Breadth: Briefly touch upon other projects to demonstrate versatility in product types or design challenges.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, decisions, and the rationale behind your work.

• Connect to D2L: Where possible, draw parallels between your project experiences and D2L's context or mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice emphasizes not just showcasing design skills but also demonstrating strategic thinking, collaborative aptitude, and alignment with D2L's mission and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on D2L's careers page.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to product design, UX research collaboration, inclusive design, and complex project delivery. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio showcases end-to-end design projects that demonstrate senior-level problem-solving, strategic thinking, and impact. Prioritize quality and relevance to D2L's product space.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, process, and outcomes. Be ready to articulate your design rationale and contributions clearly.

• Research D2L: Familiarize yourself with D2L's mission, products, and company culture. Understand their position in the EdTech market and their commitment to transforming learning.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.